Sunday night, DeSantis and Gillum debated in Tampa at a CNN-sponsored event. Minutes before the broadcast the DeSantis campaign lashed out at the cable network as a “fake news” organization.

Ron @RonDeSantisFL DeSantis had a great debate victory tonight against Andrew Gillum, a mayor who presides over one of the worst run, and most corrupt, cities in Florida. Ron will build on the great job done by Governor Rick Scott. Gillum will make Florida the next Venezuela!

Monday's cancellation came two days after President Trump in a tweet of support for DeSantis referred to Tallahassee as one of the worst cities in the U.S. In a subsequent tweet, Trump clarified he meant how the city is managed by Gillum and not a reference to the city itself.

A RealClear Politics average of polls since mid-September puts Gillum up by 3.7 points. RCP and the Cook Political Report rate the race a tossup.

Early voting began today in 32 counties. All 67 counties must offer early voting by Oct. 27.